1 Topic by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2013-01-23 11:39:10)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Topic: Les Paul - bang for your buck

Hey all,

We talk lesters all the time around here.

I just got the scoop on the new Joe Perry 1959 Les Paul with all the bumps and bruises of the Aerosmith guitarist. The tagger on it is  $10 (normal) $15k (aged)

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electri … -Paul.aspx

My question is, what (new) les paul do you think has the best value if money isn't an object? Obviously we are talking about serious coin for the more expensive ones, but my question is more about "finding the sweet spot" between cost and quality versus just splurging on the most expensive one.

I for one like the Budokan ace frehley les paul aged. Pay particular attention to the cool tuning pegs cool
http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electri … ustom.aspx

and the billy gibbons pearly gates aged
http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electri … ndard.aspx

prices are "ouch" but the guitar would mean a lot to me, and the aged would keep me from feeling bad putting a ding in it.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: N.Wales, UK
  • Registered: 2009-03-06
  • Posts: 2,183

Re: Les Paul - bang for your buck

$3529 for a signature?!

I'd just go for (and I do) mid 90s Les Paul Standards - they are all pretty damn good and fair prices.

If someone would buy me the set of Page Gibsons...I wouldn't say no.

  • Registered: 2006-06-30
  • Posts: 2,835

Re: Les Paul - bang for your buck

+1  Jimmy Page Les Pauls........:)

And so castles made of sand melts into the sea, eventually.........
  • From: Danville, IL
  • Registered: 2012-02-18
  • Posts: 458

Re: Les Paul - bang for your buck

Nic,

I'll open myself up for having stones cast at me - but I do like Ace!  Having said that, only one pickup working out of three turns me off (even though that's the original design).

To "have and to hold, from this day forward"... well, then my mind starts to wonder... towards the "Collector's Choice #1" - which is a copy of Peter Green & Gary Moore's LP (you know, with the reverse phased PUPs).

Not something I would pull off the wall and go play at bars - but a very iconic look and one that I personally consider "valuable"...

kestrou

  • From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2007-09-10
  • Posts: 957

Re: Les Paul - bang for your buck

I would probably look for a used Collectors Choice model (any of them really). Joe's '60 "Batman" can be had for (looking at high end prices) a decently reasonable price. I've seen on go for cheaper than a brand new R9.

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.
  • From: Fairfax, VA
  • Registered: 2009-09-11
  • Posts: 1,337

Re: Les Paul - bang for your buck

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

Hey all,

We talk lesters all the time around here.

I just got the scoop on the new Joe Perry 1959 Les Paul with all the bumps and bruises of the Aerosmith guitarist. The tagger on it is  $10 (normal) $15k (aged)

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electri … -Paul.aspx

Musician's Friend prices.  I'm sure Dave's (Guitars) will be lower than this.
$7332.99 - VOS
$10,832.99 - Aged
$13,332.99 - Signed & Aged

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

My question is, what (new) les paul do you think has the best value if money isn't an object? Obviously we are talking about serious coin for the more expensive ones, but my question is more about "finding the sweet spot" between cost and quality versus just splurging on the most expensive one.

I for one like the Budokan ace frehley les paul aged. Pay particular attention to the cool tuning pegs cool
http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electri … ustom.aspx

and the billy gibbons pearly gates aged
http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electri … ndard.aspx

prices are "ouch" but the guitar would mean a lot to me, and the aged would keep me from feeling bad putting a ding in it.

I don't think I can answer your question, but I'll give some food for thought. smile

When you say "new", do you mean recent?  The Pearly Gates, released a few years ago, are beautiful, but extremely hard to find and you'll definitely have to have some serious coin for an aged one.  I think I've seen the Frehley's on ebay, but maybe there were multiple versions, I have no how idea if those are good buys.  Don mentioned the Jimmy Page guitars, hard to find but you can find a #1 in the 8k range, rarely have I seen a #2 for sale.  They're very thin necks if that is something you are ok with.  The PG and Page guitars (#1/#2) will definitely hold their value.

The collector's choice #1 and#2 are very popular guitars, both have aged versions.  I think you can find #1s, but #2's are harder to find.  #3, after the guitar Joe owns, you can find those anywhere.  #4 Sandy (I have one) GREAT guitars.  I bought the aged one, I like the aged look, I don't worry about dinging it.  These are still easy to find.  Problem for some is these fall into the 2012 fret board controversy where Gibson used 2 piece boards.  For me, not an issue, it's a killer guitar and it didn't necessarily break the bank.

Something to consider if you're buying new and don't want a "signature" or CC model, is wait for a 2013 LP.  Here's what is changing w/ the 2013 models.  This from Mark's Guitarloft:

The 2013 Custom Shop reissue Les Pauls are just being released and here is the list of cool changes to the appointments: Back to 1-piece rosewood fingerboards with real celluloid inlays, the neck set will now be done with Hide Glue, new vintage accurate truss rod with no sleeve, all guitars will now come with Custom Buckers for pickups, correct aniline dye in the cherry pore filler for the back color, new neck and body binding with a more accurate vintage color, new single line Kluson tuners, both the front and back colors have been changed on all goldtops, the gold color is more accurate and slightly green, the back color has a darker pore filler and is more of a walnut brown.

Here's an example of a 2013 with a sick top
http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/histori … gloss.html

An additional thought is if you find a particular LP you like, there's always the historic makeover route.  e.g. you could take the 2013 model above and make that into an aged Pearly look-alike, far less cheaper than an original.  And if say Jimmy Page was your thing, you could find an R0 with a tapered neck and have that wired and painted to look like Jimmy's.

Jim

ES-335 #37
Pictures http://www.flickr.com/photos/jclark42796/sets/
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  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2010-04-15
  • Posts: 1,374

Re: Les Paul - bang for your buck

there's always the historic makeover route.

If money were no object I'd get a standard and do a historic makeover.  It's as close as you're going to get to the real thing.  If you're buying for collector reasons that's a different story, but not really relevant for "bang for the buck" imho.

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8 Reply by Jimmy (edited by Jimmy 2013-01-23 14:44:35)

  • From: New York
  • Registered: 2011-02-13
  • Posts: 444

Re: Les Paul - bang for your buck

Only a brand new R9, in which you pay full price, will do. lol

Gibson Custom Joe Bonamassa Ltd Signature Les Paul VOS # 31
  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: Les Paul - bang for your buck

BEST BANG FOR BUCK:

Pretty much any USED standard, not too old. Any of these mods on the fancy pants guitars to include authentic finishes and relic appointments could be added and you'd still be under the price of a signed by so & so Les Paul.

This would be my opinion of course. It's called a "standard" for a reason.

  • macg1
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  • From: St. Petersburg, FL
  • Registered: 2010-01-21
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Re: Les Paul - bang for your buck

Best bang for buck is definitely a Traditional Pro. My 2010 cost me 1400, has coil taps, plek'd, and non chambered.  Neck feels wonderful, and outplayed LP Std.'s at the store when I was shopping.  Looks great as well and sounds killer!

Amp: Firebird Musical Amplifiers
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  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Les Paul - bang for your buck

There is not a Gibson made that could talk me into spending 3 grand on it.  That is a freaking car.  Maybe if I crapped gold bricks I'd get me and all my buddies one on the forum but to me the best Les Paul I ever had was a Les Paul Classic... and not this new crap they make now the one's in the 90's.  They have some exceptional build quality and the tops are plain but they were a nice grain.  Then you could get one for about $1500, now used you can find exceptional models for about the same.  I wish I never sold mine.  Kick myself every day for it.

AD3THREE's Website

  • Registered: 2006-06-30
  • Posts: 2,835

Re: Les Paul - bang for your buck

AD3THREE wrote:

There is not a Gibson made that could talk me into spending 3 grand on it.  That is a freaking car.  Maybe if I crapped gold bricks I'd get me and all my buddies one on the forum but to me the best Les Paul I ever had was a Les Paul Classic... and not this new crap they make now the one's in the 90's.  They have some exceptional build quality and the tops are plain but they were a nice grain.  Then you could get one for about $1500, now used you can find exceptional models for about the same.  I wish I never sold mine.  Kick myself every day for it.

.
Yes you're correct Les Paul Classics made in the 90's were bang for the buck...back then

And so castles made of sand melts into the sea, eventually.........
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Les Paul - bang for your buck

AD3THREE wrote:

There is not a Gibson made that could talk me into spending 3 grand on it.

I am very happy with my '97 Les Paul Classic Honeyburst, and often wondered where the "extra money" goesas far as the other "higher end" models are concerned. By your posts I can be happy with.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2006-06-30
  • Posts: 2,835

Re: Les Paul - bang for your buck

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:
AD3THREE wrote:

There is not a Gibson made that could talk me into spending 3 grand on it.

I am very happy with my '97 Les Paul Classic Honeyburst, and often wondered where the "extra money" goesas far as the other "higher end" models are concerned. By your posts I can be happy with.

.
I think most of the extra $$$ was the higher end so called AAAAA flame tops etc....expensive eye candy

And so castles made of sand melts into the sea, eventually.........
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Les Paul - bang for your buck

Bang for the buck a Les Paul Standard from that time period didn't look near as good as the classics did in the 90's.  They would charge you for a plus top and you might get a AA top at best...  My old Classic was a plain top but it had a little bit of flame in it and a little bit of quilt, but it was faint.  I don't understand why you'd pay a premium for a guitar that's supposed to have these features but hardly does.  Now thats not saying there wasn't some beautiful Standard's that came out in the 90's but in general just like now if you buy one online and you don't pick your top your going to end up with some that might not be what you expected, or you might get a AAA top just the luck of the draw really.  It just seems like every classic that came out in the 90's had a beautiful plain top and you knew what you were getting into, where that might not be the case with a Standard and you'd pay more for it.

AD3THREE's Website

  • Registered: 2006-06-30
  • Posts: 2,835

Re: Les Paul - bang for your buck

AD3THREE wrote:

Bang for the buck a Les Paul Standard from that time period didn't look near as good as the classics did in the 90's.  They would charge you for a plus top and you might get a AA top at best...  My old Classic was a plain top but it had a little bit of flame in it and a little bit of quilt, but it was faint.  I don't understand why you'd pay a premium for a guitar that's supposed to have these features but hardly does.  Now thats not saying there wasn't some beautiful Standard's that came out in the 90's but in general just like now if you buy one online and you don't pick your top your going to end up with some that might not be what you expected, or you might get a AAA top just the luck of the draw really.  It just seems like every classic that came out in the 90's had a beautiful plain top and you knew what you were getting into, where that might not be the case with a Standard and you'd pay more for it.

.
+1    The 90's Gibsons are bringing some good money today.....

And so castles made of sand melts into the sea, eventually.........
  • Crave1
  • Crave1
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  • From: Cheshire, England
  • Registered: 2012-03-27
  • Posts: 45

Re: Les Paul - bang for your buck

2002 to 2004 Standard (60's neck)

Still have to bear in mind you have to search for the right guitar for you. Every Les Paul has its own personality.

Crave1's Website

  • Registered: 2010-09-30
  • Posts: 163

Re: Les Paul - bang for your buck

I think that "bang for your buck" is going to be different for a lot of people, depending upon their skill as a player and their ears (ability to notice and benefit from the diminishing returns of an instrument as it becomes pricier/higher end) and also how much weight is given to aesthetics versus just tone and playability.

From my own perspective, an R7 or R8 is probably the best bang for your buck. The ingredients that I feel may a Les Paul sound like a proper Les Paul are mostly in place without the added price tag associated with flame tops, faux aging, artist models, etc (I do like me some flame tops, though!). After this point, changing pickups will bring the most marginal utility with regards to tonal personalization per dollar, IMHO (however, I think the stock BB's sound great) and a personalized set-up from a very good luthier will yield the best improvement to personalized playability per dollar spent, IMHO.

That said, for a friend of mine, the best bang for the buck was an Epiphone (after I did a proper set-up and polished the frets) and for another friend of mine, may be a USA Standard or Traditional. We're just very Blessed to have so many choices these days! =-)